The Crash Bandicoot games have had a
loyal following since the series has been introduced on the Playstation console
a long while back. While the beloved antics of platform heroes such as Super
Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog clearly stand out more, Crash has managed to remain
a platform favorite. Aside from the console games, Crash has joined the platform
giants in the handheld system department following Crash Bandicoot: The Huge
Adventure. Once again, Crash shows off stuff in the latest Game Boy Advance game
Crash Bandicoot: N-Tranced . . . and fans couldn’t be happier.
This game takes place directly after
the events that occurred during The Huge Adventure when the evil Uka Uka and his
followers (including the dastardly Dr. Neo Cortex) had been dumped into deep
space. He is joined by Dr. Nefarious Tropy who devises a scheme to gain world
domination. In order to do this; he comes up with a genius plan to use those
heroes that had thwarted them in the first place–Crash Bandicoot, his sister
Coco and the muscle-bound bandicoot Crunch. To do this, the evil Dr. Nefarious
enlists the aid of the evil master hypnotist N. Trance. Having captured Coco and
Crunch, Crash sets out to rescue them and do away with the evil doers.
The game plays like a true
platformer with jumps, crouch, tornado spins, and plenty of crate smashing in
order to get the prize inside it. There are even newer moves such as Slide (when
you need to quickly slide underneath a tight space or body slam (when you need
to break tough objects). Special moves, such as Super Slide, are won after
completing certain levels.
As far as the levels are concerned,
each level offers a different challenge. You are taken to a world map and can
choose the level you want to enter, although certain advanced levels cannot be
reached without first completing certain levels. A level basically offers the
same platform goodness seen in the past Crash games only they add some
refreshing levels where Crash rides a wakeboard (collecting objects while trying
not to get eaten by a giant shark) or moving through a level inside a metal
sphere. You can also play as certain characters like Coco.
The game’s only problem is that the
game can be a bit too easy at times. Often you can zip through a level without
much trouble or without much resistance from the collection of enemies. A boss
fight (Crash goes up against his hypnotized friends as well as N-Trance himself)
is just simply a question of memorizing their attack patterns. This is not to
say that you won’t find a challenge here. There are plenty of difficult areas
within a level that put up something of a worthy challenge.
The game’s visuals are also
surprisingly good-looking, bringing the early Playstation Crash games to mind.
The backgrounds are actually pretty great to look at and each level has its own
charming details (such as the detailed hieroglyphics and mummy tombs in the
Pharaoh’s Funhouse level) and enough strange enemies to pounce on. Aside from
the great backgrounds, the special effects are also pretty impressive. Cut
scenes come to life with full motion characters and Crash looks good in action
(or when he’s getting burnt to a crispy critter).
Nothing is more pleasantly
remarkable than hearing excellent sound in a GBA game and N-Tranced certainly
manages to showcase some great sound effects as well as music. Interestingly,
the music sounds straight out of a console version of the game. The tunes even
change with each level and fit the particular level theme while it’s at it. For
example, in the Prints of Persia level, the music takes on a slightly Arabic
feel. The sound effects are also classic Crash, with the smashing of crates and
his mighty spin the dominant sound effects.
Crash Bandicoot: N-Tranced is a
tribute to those great platform games that are not just highly enjoyable but
also deliciously addictive. The game doesn’t offer anything really new or
inventive to the mix but it does manage to keep things interesting by adding
different elements we seen and loved before. This is platform gaming at its most
fun and Crash Bandicoot fans will definitely enjoy this one.
Gameplay: 8.5
The game’s controls are wonderfully simple while adding a number of much
appreciated moves such as slides and body slam. Crash moves in the same fashion
that has been seen in the console games but also gets to ride a magic carpet, an
atlasphere, and a wakeboard and use a Heli-Pack. You also get to play as key
characters such as Crash’s sister, Coco.
All the classic platform essentials
are here, such as crate bashing and the collection of fruits for extra lives as
well as plenty of item hunting. Gamers will have fun hunting down the many
secrets each level has to offer as well as finding the bonus areas.
Graphics: 8.1
On the visual front, N-Tranced is a pretty impressive looking game with plenty
of details that make you wish the GBA’s screen was a lot bigger in order to
fully appreciate the wonderful backgrounds and the unique enemies. Each crate
has its own distinct appearance and thanks to the great graphics, you can easily
tell them apart.
Crash Bandicoot also looks pretty
good out there, especially in between levels during animated cut scenes. The
effects are wonderful enough that you’ll witness Crash burn to a crisp if he
falls into a pit of fire or get flatten when a pillar comes crashing down on top
of him. His spin looks pretty damn cool too.
Sound: 8.2
Much like the game’s graphics, the sound in this game is a pleasant surprise in
that it features some great sound effects and classic Crash tunes. The music is
composed of lively cartoon-like tropical music, although the tunes change
throughout the game and levels. The best part of this is that the music fits the
overall theme of the particular level you’re playing at the moment.
The sound effects are also well done
and you’ll notice it in many things such as smashing crates, crying out in
comical pain when you die or spinning wildly like the Tasmanian Devil. When the
moving pillars slam down, you hear the heavy concrete thump of it. When the
shark is after you in one level, you hear its teeth snap as it attempts to
swallow you whole. It’s a job well done, indeed.
Difficulty: Easy
You can zip through all the early level pretty quickly mostly because the
enemies don’t really offer too much of a real threat. The game place emphasis on
collecting objects and things (such as fruit) and much of the game will have you
smashing crates in true classic platformer fashion. And the boss fights are
simply a matter of learning your enemy’s attack pattern.
Concept: 8.5
N-Trance delivers a good dose of platform gaming while keeping things a bit
diverse with elements we seen before–although it’s not to say we don’t
appreciate these additions. While nothing really new is added, certain games
levels (such as the Globe Trottin’ level) keep the game fresh. It’s fun to see a
game that, at least, tries to diversify.
Multiplayer: 8.7
The game also offers multiplayer fun for up to two gamers using two Game Boy
Advance systems and the GBA Link Cable. Your friend also has to have their own
copy of N-Tranced in order for it to work but once gamers are connected, they
can dive into multiplayer games like Atlasphere (battle against a friend in a
rolling ball) and Link Race (where you race through a level with a friend). The
highlight of the multiplayer game is that you can download characters and
another multiplayer game mode from a saved game of Crash Bandicoot: The Huge
Adventure.
Overall: 8.3
While it’s not exceedingly innovative, Crash Bandicoot: N-Tranced is an
extremely entertaining platform game that’s just too hard to put down. Gamers
will love the astonishingly pleasant visuals and the slew of levels filled with
plenty of secrets and mini games. If you’re looking for a good platformer,
especially one with multiplayer fun, give N-Tranced a try.
